crotalaria

1 9.9

A plant with seed pods that rattle, often grown to feed animals or improve soil

noun

Specialized

: crotalaria

The distinctive pods of crotalaria make a rattling sound when shaken by the wind.

Examples

Many species of crotalaria are valued as pasture plants in tropical agriculture.
Farmers often use crotalaria as green manure.
Farmers often grow crotalaria to enrich the soil with vital nutrients.
The crotalaria plant is known for its unique seed pods.
Farmers often grow crotalaria to enrich the soil with vital nutrients.
Many species of crotalaria are valued as pasture plants in tropical agriculture.
The distinctive pods of crotalaria make a rattling sound when shaken by the wind.

Synonyms

rattlebox

vscrotalaria

Specialized

9.9

A plant whose swollen seed pods make a shaking sound and that farmers use to feed animals and improve soil

has the same meaning but uses a different common term

genus Crotalaria

vscrotalaria

Specialized

9.9

A group of plants with soft stems and yellow flowers that grow in tropical Africa

focuses instead on pods that rattle and use for pasture and manure

Compounds

Crotalaria sagittalis

Specialized

9.9

A tropical plant with dry pods that rattle when seeds move

Crotalaria spectabilis

Specialized

9.9

A tall Indian plant with purple flowers and puffy pods whose seeds rattle and harm livestock

genus Crotalaria

Specialized

9.9

A group of plants with soft stems and yellow flowers that grow in tropical Africa

Surface Forms

crotalaria singular

crotalarias plural

Etymology

Crotalaria comes from the Greek krotalon, meaning 'rattle', like the English word 'rattle'. Many plants of this group have dry seed pods that shake in the wind and make a rattling sound, so the name points to that feature and helps you remember the plant.